Glam it up! Fashion feature with People Magazine

I recently did a Sports Glam photoshoot with People Magazine which I absolutely loved! I embraced the fusion of my two loves – sports and fashion – and couldn’t have asked for a better shoot.

I have been playing sports for as long as I can remember: from being the only girl on the field playing mini cricket at tournaments during primary school, right up to being Vice-Captain of the KZN touch rugby team. Sports has done so much in building my character – and being my “escape”. It saved me from getting into a whole lot of trouble and instilled in me such critical life values, and that is why I’ve decided to go all Sport on you for this blog post.

In the new age South Africa, where we speak so proudly of our growth and economic transformation, we thus have the responsibility to grow, nurture as well as develop a diverse mix of talent. People of different races and backgrounds are to be exposed to different sporting codes as well as presented with equal opportunities on the playing field.

On the topic of talent, it is never enough. Up-skilling players with the necessary knowledge of the sport and instilling in them a sense of pride and incredible discipline in their craft is what will see that their career is not only fruitful but also has longevity.

Sports is a key player when it comes to social development. Sports requires a lot of focus and dedication. The gruelling training process all the way to game time, and thereafter! Win or lose, the life lessons and values are jam-packed in any sporting code.

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.” – Nelson Mandela

From a consumers view point without greater intel than what is produced for the general public, Nedbank, Barclays Bank, Old Mutual and a few others have been incredible role players in facilitating sporting events and educating the youth about sports. There are many other role players which are using sports for social change and one of them is Beyond Sport – a global non-profit organization.

However, there’s still a large gap which corporates can fill by being active participants in the space of social development.

Lucas Radebe on sport, attests to the fact that “It moulded me into who I am in terms of values and withstanding challenges and being hungry for success.”

With all that being said, sports is definitely a tool which is capable of creating positive social change. Let us use this tool; let us cherish this tool which will see our country to a better social and economic future.

Stylist: Suzy Mukendi

Photographer: Brenda Taylor

Fashion Assistant: Deneal Florence

For a full look into the “Glam it up” feature, get the latest copy of People Magazine or click here.